The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-07-07
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, D. g., July 2, 1887.

WASHINGTON, ID. O., July 2, 1887.
June 80, being the end of the fiscal
year, there is now much fear among
many of the Department clerks, as a
reduced legislative appropriation bill
makes necessary a corresponding re.
duction in the clerical force of the gov
ernment, and it is certain that shower
of official heads will fall into the de-
partnental waste basket. For this
reason not few clerks have deferred
taking their usual leave, not wishing
to be too far away from their infiuen-
tial friends on this dread day. AT this
time. too, the presence of an unusually
large number of Congressman in the
city is due to a desire to protect their
proteges.
One day this week the Department
of Justice was draped in mourning in
memory of James Speed, Attorney
General in President LincOlu's Cabi-
net. Mr.. Speed was a steadfast Re.
publican until until 1884, when he re-
pented of his evil Political ways and
redeemed himself by enlisting in the
columns of Cleveland and Hendricks.
If there had been a few thousand
such women on the Union side as she
of whom l now write, the Civil War
would not have lasted two years. This
lady, a Mrs. Brown, of w. Va, has
borne in all 33 children, 20 of the mum
ber being boys, l6 of whom served in
the Union Army, of which number
but two We're killed each of the other
IA draws pension from the Govern
ment for disabilities received In SER
vice, and the death of two sons also
entities the mother to a pension. Gen.
Black says the files of the Office fail 10
show another record where the 16 sons
of one father and mother served in the
late war.
The military spirit lately infused in
to the citizens of Washington is still
rife, as is evidenced by the organiza-
tion of three or four militia companies
during the past month. which have
been formed into g National Guard'
under the direction and command of
Gen. Ordway, so that in case of for
eign invasion or civil conflict the Cap
itol of the Nation would be able to
furnish many defenders from its own
ffresides.
1t is a matter of history that the or.
iginal Grand Army of the Republic
was almost disrupted. that its infiu
ence and usefulness was impaired, and
that it had to be reorganized because
turned into a partisan Republican
machine. It now seems that history
is about to repeat itself in this instance,
as Gen. Fairchild, its Commander-in-
the last year was the drafting of the
Dependent Pension bill A bill has
been made out and sent to all the posts
for approval, those of this city having
given their endorsement, another at.
tempt will be made to haul the mil.
lions from the Treasury. Then the
Tuttle and battle flag episodes consid.
cred in the same connection seem tC
clearly foreshadow a political conspir.
acy in the Grand Army. Therefore ]
q ivise Democratic members of the g
A. r. to keep sharp eye on their Re
publican brethren all along the line.
| Report has it that there is serious
estrangement between the President
and Secretary Endicott. That the res
ignation of the man of ancient and il
Iustrious lineage has been called for
and will be forthcoming within 81
days. 1t is thought the last difference
arose out of theSecretary' hasty action
flags, although 1 am informed thai
there has long been a painful lack o
cordiality between the gentlemen, ,anC
that anybody else but the Secretary
would have resigned at almost any
time in the past six months.
These days about every third Con
gresham or Elk Congressman who en-
ters the Office of Secretary Lamar is a
once bulletined in the newspapers al
his successor, it being generally as
sumed that the Secretary will take hi.
seat on the Supreme Bench in October
at which time, think, the appoint
ment will be announced and accepted
for who can afford to decline an honor
so exalted? All this summer, / be
| h., H.
or suitable Secretary of the interior
aud there can be little doubt that, liz
the exercise of his usual sound iudg
ment, be will find the right man fol-
the place.
1t is quite likely that the President
and Mrs. Cleveland will take another
pleasure trip in July, and that the two
expect to celebrate Mrs. Cleveland's
twenty third birthday occurring OIL
July 2lst. in some quiet mountain re-
sort of the Old Dominion"
The Commissioners of the District
of Columbia have issued revised Sc,
of ordinances for the government o.
the citizens of Washington, regulating
everybody and everything, from the
growing of a cock to the shooting of 6
firecracker. The small boys have al
ready gotten ahead of the Commission
ers by hiding in barns and stables to
set off fireworks, the result being two
large fires.
| ATWATER